Every one, from the highest to the lowest degree, has his place on the social ladder, and is beset by stormy passions and conflicting interests, as in Descartes' theory of pressure and impulsion.

But these forces increase as we go higher, so that we have a spiral which in defiance of reason rests upon the apex and not on the base.

Now let us return to your particular world.

You say you were on the point of being made captain of the Pharaon ?" "Yes." "And about to become the husband of a young and lovely girl ?" "Yes." "Now, could any one have had any interest in preventing the accomplishment of these two things?
But let us first settle the question as to its being the interest of any one to hinder you from being captain of the Pharaon.

What say you ?" "I cannot believe such was the case.